The Gilded Mirror by L.M. Somerton
Book 2 in the Treasure Trove Antiques series
General Release Date: 24th August 2021
Word Count: 60,041
Book Length: NOVEL
Pages: 234
Genres:
ACTION AND ADVENTURE,BONDAGE AND BDSM,CONTEMPORARY,EROTIC ROMANCE,GAY,GLBTQI,MYSTERY
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Book Description
Life would be simpler if X marked the spot.
When Landry Carran buys an antique mirror from a pop-up flea market, he doesn’t expect it to set him on a treasure hunt originating in the Second World War. He can’t resist tracking down the clues even knowing that every step brings him closer to danger.
Landry’s partner and Dom, Detective Gage Roskam, has his own problems handling a money laundering case that twists and turns as much as Landry’s treasure trail.
As a decades-old mystery collides with modern-day crime, Landry and Roskam must juggle work, friendships and their relationship to solve both puzzles. It’ll be a miracle if nothing gets broken along the way.
Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of physical assault, gunshots and expressions of homophobia. There are references to non-nurturing parenting, addiction and attempted abduction.
“Your couch is really comfy,” Petey said from his perch on a stool behind the cash desk in the store. “I slept so well, and my headache is nearly gone.”
“It’s a couch that hugs and I’m glad your head is better. Hopefully you won’t have to sleep on it again, though, because I spoke to my friend Prisha—her dad owns the Eastern Emporium across the street—she has a cousin who has a wholesale bed business. She’s sorting a new mattress for the bed frame in your apartment. Gage and I took mine with us because it wasn’t that old. Gage splurged on an expensive pillow-top when he started staying over all the time.” Landry finished counting the petty cash.
Petey frowned. “I don’t have much in the way of savings. Maybe when I’ve been working here a while.”
“Oh honey, after you’d fallen asleep last night, I put the word out to the guys at Scorch that you were moving into a new place and Gage threatened a few of his cop friends. I think you’ll be surprised what shows up today to make your place homey.”
“I’m not a charity case, Landry. I can save up. It’ll take a while but…”
“Housewarming gifts are not charity. If people want to help then you should let them—everyone has stuff they don’t need. Gage and I have pooled two places, so we have all kinds of spares. You’ll get your chance to pay it forward another time. Now, do you think you can handle the cash register?”
“I think I’ve got it…I’ll yell if I get stuck.”
“Don’t get your fingers jammed in the drawer. I’ve been there and I can tell you, I found new levels of cursing that day.”
“Ouchies!”
“Are you sure you’re okay? You’re a bit pale.”
“I’m in shock. I got mugged, narrowly avoided death by tentacle-infested trash compactor, found a new home and a new job with my best friend all in the space of twenty-four hours. I need some time to process.”
“Fair enough. Ooh, did I tell you Gage has never seen Stars Wars?”
“What the…fudge! I mean he’s gorgeous and Dommy but why are you with him again?”
“Because he’s gorgeous and Dommy?”
“I suppose that does excuse an utter lack of geekery.”
“He also does this thing where he spanks me and squeezes my…uh, never mind.”
“You can’t stop there! I have a head injury. My brain might explode if you don’t keep going.”
“If it does, you’re cleaning up the blobby stuff. I have managerial privileges, and you don’t know every scrumptious detail of what Gage and I get up to when we have sexy time.” Petey pouted but only managed to look cuter. “Don’t look at me like that. When you have a Dom of your own, you’ll want to keep the juiciest bits to yourself too.” The bell over the door jangled and several customers came inside. “Time to do some actual work. Then we can have a coffee break. I’ll even let you drink tea because I’m that nice.”
“Okay. Uh, Landry…there’s a fire truck out front.” Petey pointed at the street.
“I hope nothing’s on fire!” Landry jogged over to the door but before he could open it, several firemen pushed their way inside. He spotted a friend he knew from Scorch. “Carson? What’s going on? The building isn’t alight, is it? I know I cooked Pop-Tarts this morning, but they weren’t even charred.”
“No need to evacuate. We’re on our way to a charity event at Teddy Bear’s Kindergarten but Gage told me Petey had a new place here and needed some home comforts. We have some stuff for him…is he here?”
“I am.” Petey came to stand at Landry’s side. “Hello, Master Carson.”
“Just Carson’s fine, Petey. We’re not at Scorch now.”
Petey gasped. “Sorry! Did I just out you to your crew?”
One of Carson’s colleagues snorted with laughter. “We all know he’s a kinky fucker.”
“Which is why I’m in charge, and you’ll be cleaning the tender with a toothbrush this evening, Harris. Where do you want all this stuff?” Carson’s voice softened when he addressed Petey who had apparently lost the power of speech.
Landry tracked the pair of them like he was watching a game of tennis. “Top floor, Carson. You guys can use the door over there. There’s no elevator but you guys like running upstairs, don’t you? Good for keeping fit.” Landry gestured to the way through to the stairwell. “The apartment door’s not locked. Just put the boxes anywhere, Petey hasn’t moved in yet, he’s been staying with me.”
“Got it. You heard him, guys.” A procession of men carrying boxes and bags trekked through the store while Petey watched, wide-eyed. Landry grinned and tried not to drool at all the fit firemen. “Well, well, I think you have an admirer.”
Petey blushed to the roots of his floppy blond hair. “You’re deranged.”
“And you’re the color of one of those British telephone boxes. You could do worse, you know. Master Carson is a well-respected Dom. He’s friends with me and Gage so he has to be the best.”
Sighing, Petey rested his chin on his hands, elbows on the cash desk. “He’s gorgeous, but he’s just being nice. Why would he even give me a second glance? He has subs falling over themselves to play with him at Scorch. He could have anyone.”
“I love you, but could you be any denser? Have you looked in the mirror recently? Hot bod, check. Pretty face, check. Aura of vulnerability, check. You’re a Dom magnet, my friend. Own it. I’d guess that all you have to do is flutter those golden eyelashes in Carson’s direction and you’ll have him right where you want him.”
“Where I want him would not be appropriate in this store.”
Landry giggled. “Well, from the sound of elephants thundering downstairs, I’d guess they’re coming back.”
The parade of firemen, now empty-handed, made the return journey through the store, much to the delight of a couple of middle-aged ladies browsing the book display. Carson stopped at the cash desk.
“All done. We left a couple lawn chairs but my sister has a couch and armchair she wants rid of because they bought a new suite. I’ll bring it over when I have my truck. You need some help settling in, Petey?”
“I… I mean… That would be… If you think… I could…”
“I’ll be here at eight. I’ll bring take-out and I can help you arrange things how you want them.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good. I’ll see you later.”
Landry wondered if it was possible for Petey’s eyes to get any wider as he watched Carson stroll down the aisle, uniform pants hugging his ass. “You look like a spaniel puppy begging for a treat. Come to think of it, Carson will probably enjoy you begging.”
“He’s coming here, tonight—to spend time alone with me! What am I going to do, Landry?”
“Be your own, cute, adorable self. I’d guess Carson’s already smitten. He saw an opening and walked right through… Typical Dom. He’s gonna take what he wants and what he wants is you.”
Petey gulped. “Okay, that’s freaking me out a little.”
“There’s no need to be scared. You’ve played with some hard-core Doms at Scorch, you can handle yourself and Carson is one of the good guys.”
“This wouldn’t be playing, though, would it?”
“We all have to grow up sometime, and I know how that sounds coming from me, but once I found Gage, I had no interest in playing with anyone else. Find the right Dom, and you’re anchored for life and I don’t mean like mafia anchored where you’re tied to it and lobbed in the ocean. Gage stops me drifting all over the place, psychologically speaking.”
Petey beamed, but it wasn’t for Landry’s benefit. It was the two ladies approaching the cash desk, both holding stacks of books. “Ladies, what a pleasure. I hope you found everything you were looking for,” Petey said, turning on the charm.
“Why, aren’t you the sweetest? Beryl, I think we are going to be regular customers here. Do you by any chance have a schedule for when the firefighters will be back?”
Landry snorted with laughter. “You have excellent taste ladies. I’ll leave you in Petey’s capable hands.” He headed out to get drinks, content that he was able to stop worrying about his friend. Carson was perfectly qualified to take care of Petey’s needs as a submissive, Landry could concentrate on making sure Petey got into mischief.
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L.M. Somerton
Lucinda lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.
She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She’s fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.
You can follow Lucinda on Facebook, Twitter and her Website.
Enter to win a vintage silver plated dressing table set consisting of mirror, brush and comb from L.M. Somerton!
Notice: This competition ends on 7th September 2021 at 12AM EST. Competition hosted by Totally Entwined Group.
